Native texas shrubs

I decided that I need to consider the weather conditions in N. Texas for a more hassle-free gardening for years to come. Plus, given the fact that this will be a rental property some day, I need to make sure I don't plant anything that requires dedicated attention. So, the first thing to look at, I think, is the native plans.

Turk's Cap or Wax Mallow: Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii 

Bloom Period:	Spring - Fall
Soil:	Adaptable, moist, well draining
Exposure:	Full sun, partial shade, shade
Water:	Moist soil
Planting:	Fresh seeds, softwood cuttings

 Notes: It tolerates shade, but requires moist soil... 



Desert Honeysuckle or Flame Acanthus, Anisacanthus quadrifidus vr. wrigtii  

Bloom Period:	April- November
Soil:	Adaptable well dranning
Exposure:	Full sun -partial shade
Water:	Drought and heat tolerant.
Planting:	Fresh seeds and cuttings

The red tubular flowers of Flame Acanthus and Desert honeysuckle will add brilliant color to your yard from June - November. The hotter it gets the more they bloom. This is a great plant for Texas. The hummingbirds love this plant, so this is a must have, together with Autumn sage and Turk's cap. If you have these three plants in your yard you are sure to have hummingbirds.

Notes: I like that it is drought tolerant, and the hotter it gets the more it blooms, but it I don't know if it will hold up in almost full shade


Texas Lantana: Lantana horrida or camara

 

Plant:	Perennial, Size: 2-6 feet
Flower:	L. horrida has yellow-orange clusters 1-2 inches across,L. camara has pink and cream color blosoms.
Bloom Period:	Spring -Fall
Soil:	Adaptable
Exposure:	Full sun, partial shade
Water:	Drought tolerant
Planting:	Fresh seeds and cuttings

This plant is wonderful to have because it will take the heat with no problem and bloom for you all summer and into fall. The flowers are very cheerful and attract butterflies and hummingbrids like crazy. This plant is a must have for the native garden.

Artemisia:


This is an herb, but it grows so large it needs to be classified as a shrub. Since it grows large in just one season, it is a great plant to use for quick shrubs wherever you need one. Just break off a foot or so stem and plant part of it in the dirt where you want a new one to grow. Keep it moist for a week or two, and it will grow new roots. Before the end of the summer, you will have another large shrub and can repeat the process. Nothing bothers this plant, neither bug nor disease. You may need to cut it back so it does not take over the whole bed. Plant in full sun to part shade and water occasionally.

Notes:  In Russia, this plant is a weed that grows everywhere, and it is hard to get rid of. I think this one is a positive no.




Aralia:

This tropical looking shrub is really hardy here in Texas. It needs plenty of shade and moderate watering.

Notes: I think this might be a perfect plant for my yard. Although on the Internet, the info points to Aralia being more of an indoor plant that does not tolerate cold very well.


Chinese Photinia:

This large shrub can be trimmed up into a small decorative tree. These often grow wild in Texas; that shows how tough they are. They will bloom in the spring with large white blooms, followed by berries which Cedar Waxwings love to eat. If they don't discover them, the berries will be a pretty winter accent to the garden. Plant anywhere and lives on neglect.

Notes: Apparently, mature shrubs can reach up to 20 feet in height, so I don't think this one will work for my tiny yard.



Nandina:

Nandinas also will grow in the wild here. They are beautiful shrubs with red berries and pretty leaves. They come in several sizes; the larger ones are the best in appearance. It would be hard to kill this plant. Nandina likes some shade to be its best, but it will grow anywhere, with very little care or water. The picture shows snow on nandinas in January.

Notes: This one I already have, 2 of them, in fact. Obviously, they are a keeper. It is good that they are native plants and require little care. I made a lucky buy.


Abelia:

 
This is a graceful large shrub with arching branches and small white blooms throughout the year (whenever the shrub feels like it). It gets quite large and should not be trimmed into a hedge; that would ruin its form. Just trim to keep it from getting too large. Full sun, moderate water.

Notes: I already have 2 of these, as well. Great things is that it needs little water and it is a native plant. Bad thing is, it needs full sun, which I do not really have anywhere but by the chimney. I think that this is where they are going to put them.




Althaea:

This is a large shrub or small tree that takes full sun or part shade and has large tropical bloomss that look like hybiscus blooms. A truly beautiful shrub.

Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 2-21, 26,28-41
USDA: 7-10a

Frost Tolerance: Mostly deciduous in Phoenix
Heat Tolerance: Afternoon shade in the hot areas
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Origin: Pakistan
Growth Habits: Deciduous shrub to 10 feet tall (3 m), 6 feet in width (1.8 m), can be trained to have a single trunk; alternate, coarsely toothed, smooth leaves, often with 3 lobes, up to 3 inches long (7.5 cm), 1.6 inches wide (4 cm)
Watering Needs: Regular deep watering, some drought tolerance, needs good drainage, prefers soil with added organic matter
Propagation: Softwood cuttings in spring, semi-hardwood in summer, hardwood cutting in winter without leaves, seeds, layering of the lower flexible branches

Notes: 10 feet high is a bit too big, and it does not tolerate drought too well. Strange that the origin of the shrub is Pakistan, but it is listed as a native Texan shrub.


Crepe Mrytle:

What would Central Texas be without the Crepe mrytle? This fantastic large shrub or small tree does need some care though. Don't cut the tops off this shrub; that just mutilates it. Trim lightly in the early winter and then leave it alone. When you water, try very hard not to get water on its leaves. Use a soaker hose and water at ground level. This, along with full sun and adequate air flow will ensure that your shrubs don't get powdery mildew. This shrub is worth the extra trouble as it is covered with blooms for much of the summer.

Notes: comments say it is very invasive, can destroy water pipes, and drips sticky sap all over the ground... Hmm, maybe I will try it in a flower pot first....